After a long wait, fairs and festivals are back in the capital region

Nevil Meyer, centre, talks to the crowd while performing with Trophy Dad at the All Ways Home Festival at Starlight Stadium in Langford on Saturday. As pandemic restrictions ease, fairs and festivals are making a comeback this weekend.

We were festival-free for months because of the pandemic. But this weekend, festivals are making a comeback, though in a scaled-back fashion.

Crowds were significantly lower than usual on Saturday, partly because of the drizzly weather, partly because of pandemic worries and crowd-size restrictions.

• Saanich Fair, continues today (10 a.m. to 9 p.m.) and Monday (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) at the Saanich Fairgrounds, 1528 Stellys Cross Rd., saanichfair.ca

The Saanich Fair is offering agricultural exhibits, a midway, food and music.

• Victoria Highland Games and Celtic Festival, continues today (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.) at Craigflower Manor grounds, 110 Island Highway (Admirals Road and Island Highway), victoriahighlandgames.com

There’s Highland and Irish dancing, Celtic band performances, athletic competitions plus tours of Craiglfower Manor.

• All Ways Home Festival, continues today at Starlight Stadium in Langford,

1089 Langford Parkway, allwayshomefestival.ca

All Ways Home Festival features music by Canadian performers, including Jesse Roper, Jon and Roy, Fleece and The Bankes Brothers.

• Greekfest, continues today and Monday (11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.) at 4648 Elk Lake Dr., greekfest.ca

Greekfest is food-centred, with a menu that includes roasted lamb, souvlaki plates, gyros plates, spanakopita and Greek salad. Dine-in and takeout are available.

DARREN STONE, TIMES COLONIST

DARREN STONE, TIMES COLONIST The Greater Victoria Police Pipe Band plays during the 158th Victoria Highland Games & Celtic Festival at Craigflower Manor on Saturday. The Games were scaled down and held at a smaller venue due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

DARREN STONE, TIMES COLONIST Five-year-old Vanessa Ceator visits with King, a 22-year-old Tally-Ho Carriage Tours horse at the Saanich Fair.

DARREN STONE, TIMES COLONIST Jamie Beaman, left, and Elijah Driver perform with The New Owners to open the All Ways Home Festival.

DARREN STONE, TIMES COLONIST The audience listens to Trophy Dad perform at the All Ways Home Festival at Starlight Stadium.

DARREN STONE, TIMES COLONIST Ben Mulleray, 15, and Daniel Tolman,14, ride the Hurricane at the Saanich Fair.

DARREN STONE, TIMES COLONIST Giant pumpkins prove popular at the 152nd Saanich Fair on Saturday.